Heavenly amenities abound at Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, Florida

Unbeatable Florida resort makes this visitor feel like he’s No. 1

Westin Diplomat Resort

Photograph by: Aaron Saunders

Picture this: you’re standing on your balcony, listening to the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean, with the warm, tropical breeze in your face as the sun rises on the horizon. No, you’re not on a cruise — but you are at the Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Fla. (diplomatresort.com).

The resort first opened in 2002, but doesn’t look over a month old. It’s also one of the largest in the area with 902 guest rooms and a steady stream of conferences and holidaymakers, all lured by the promise of a Westin Heavenly Bed and some spectacular amenities.

One of these is the recently opened Heavenly Spa by Westin. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the new spa is a veritable work of art, with 10 treatment rooms, a Halotherapy Salt Steam, and a relaxation area that features loungers separated by a wall of “rain.” Treatments are reasonably priced, and worth it just to kick back for a while in the relaxation area. There is also a brand-new Westin Workout fitness centre just outside, open around the clock and bathed in soothing blue light.

I also had a chance to dine at Hollywood Prime, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond-rated steak house. Located just off the main lobby and decorated with dark woods and soothing lighting, steak is the main feature here, with sides served family-style for all to enjoy.

The price tag isn’t for the faint of heart (the top-of-the-line cut runs well over $100), but the quality of the food served here is second-to-none. If you think you don’t like steak, Hollywood Prime will convince you otherwise.

For me, though, the location was the real selling point; Hollywood is almost equidistant from both Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and the property is located right at the edge of the powdery sand that gives way to the Atlantic Ocean. And if for some reason you happen to tire of miles of pristine beach, you can always relax in the resort’s massive pools.

There’s also an off-site 18-hole championship Golf Course located just five minutes away, along with a dedicated tennis facility.

Even after all this, the Westin Diplomat would be just another in a chain of large hotels were it not for the genuinely friendly service of everyone from the check-in staff to the pool attendants. There may be thousands of people staying here at any given time. Somehow, they make you feel like you’re No. 1.

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